Maryland was long noted for her favorable attitude toward her Negroes.

We have already observed how Banneker, though living in a small place, was permitted to attend school, and how Ellicott became interested in this man of genius and furnished him with books.

Other Negroes of that State were enjoying the same privilege.

The abolition delegates from Maryland reported in 1797 that several children of the Africans and other people of color were under a course of instruction, and that an academy and qualified teachers for them would be provided.[1] These Negroes were then getting light from another source.

Having more freedom in this State than in some others, the Quakers were allowed to teach colored people.
[Footnote 1: _Proceedings of the American Convention_, etc., 1797, p.
16.] Most interest in the cause in Maryland was manifested near the cities of Georgetown and Baltimore.[1] Long active in the cause of elevating the colored people, the influence of the revolutionary movement was hardly necessary to arouse the Catholics to discharge their duty of enlightening the blacks.